Blood-Horse

Godolphin, which campaigned 22 North American graded stakes winners, including two Breeders’ Cup winners, set a single-season record in earnings as the leading owner for the fourth consecutive year.

Starting in January and through the month of December, Flavien Prat was focused on putting together a championship year and on opening day at Santa Anita Park, he put an exclamation point on what turned out to be an outstanding record-setting 2024.

Ten of the most thrilling, memorable, and momentous events from Thoroughbred racing in North America last year have been nominated for the 2024 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year, a distinction determined by fan voting.

Last year, Russell earned 113 victories at Laurel and Pimlico, 16 more than runner-up Jamie Ness. She also captured the Timonium training title with eight wins. Kieron Magee placed third with 71 combined scores at Laurel and Pimlico.

Last year's Blue Diamond (G1) winner Hayasugi has died due to complications following foot surgery.

In his first year since being reinstated by Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Baffert has entered three fillies in the Jan. 5 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park, the first prep race of the year for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) in Southern California.

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.

Races like the Jerome Stakes are considered preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But they are actually more of a test to see if a newly turned 3-year-old has what it takes to be a successful runner in longer and richer races in the new year.

Races like the Jerome Stakes are considered preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But they are actually more of a test to see if a newly turned 3-year-old has what it takes to be a successful runner in longer and richer races in the new year.

Equine fatalities rose for the second consecutive year at California racetracks and training centers in 2024, with disease and accidents contributing to the increase. 

Spendthrift Farm's 2024 leading first crop sire Vekoma rang in the new year with his newest stakes winner when Five G soared home by nine lengths in the Jan. 1 Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Eight grade 1 winners received invitations to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25, including 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan and 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio.

America’s Best Racing correspondent Tom Pedulla looks back at 10 stories that made 2024 a year to toast.

Residents of Grantville, Pa. will not be ringing in the New Year by watching live horse racing as high winds have led Penn National Race Course to cancel its Jan. 1 card.

An Oldham County, KY. native, Brook Smith races horses in his own name as well as under the nom de race Rocket Ship Racing. A businessman and philanthropist, he gives 10% of his horses’ earnings to Purses for a Purpose.

Creator, winner of the 2016 Belmont Stakes (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1), has been sold to stand stud in Saudi Arabia after spending eight years in Japan.

The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA) held its fifth annual awards and membership dinner Dec. 21. This event gives FTHA the opportunity to recognize excellence in the Thoroughbred industry and at Gulfstream Park.  

Maiden Watch: Week of Dec. 23-Dec. 29

Barry Irwin, founder and chief executive of Team Valor, said he hopes Quid Pro Quo would be able to emulate the achievements of the group's Ipi Tombe, who was trained by Mike de Kock to win the 2003 Dubai Duty Free (G1).

Juddmonte's lightly raced Pleasant, third in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, pursues her first graded stakes win when she races against six other foes in the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.